Adrian (A.D.) Dent Mcbeath

Adrian Dent McBeath, 98, passed away November 24, 2023, at his home in The Woodlands, Texas. A.D. was born to Mr. And Mrs. John Cullen McBeath in Newton, Mississippi, on May 9, 1925.

After graduating from Newton High School in May of 1943, he entered the United States Army, serving in World War ll. Mr. McBeath was deployed to Italy, France, and Germany during his service. Ultimately, he was awarded a bronze star for bravery beyond the call of duty during combat in southern France.

After the war, he enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi, receiving mathematics and social studies degrees. Mr. McBeath earned a master's degree in school administration from Mississippi State. Mr. McBeath started his career at Conehatta High School. In 1953, he joined the faculty of Kosciusko High School. He served as a classroom teacher, basketball coach, guidance counselor, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. A.D. McBeath’s compassion for children and his desire for them to be educated and successful members of society was a constant in his life and career. His desire for his students to thrive never wavered. A.D. McBeath became the longest serving superintendent in the Kosciusko School history. During this time, he served on the Mississippi State Guidance Association, the Mississippi State Athletic Association, the president of the Choctaw Athletic Conference, and president and cofounder of the mid-Mississippi Athletic Conference. A.D. possessed a knowledge and love of the game of basketball. As head basketball coach of Kosciusko High School, he was named Choctaw Conference coach of the year. Under Mr. McBeath’s direction, the small town of Kosciusko’s basketball, football, and baseball teams thrived. He was especially proud of the Kosciusko marching band; they were, in his words,” superior.”

Most importantly, Kosciusko schools guided young minds into successful careers in business, law, medicine, engineering, and teaching. Mr. McBeath was immensely proud and respectful of the talented and compassionate teachers in the Kosciusko school system. At 95 years old, during the pandemic, his main concern was for the schools. He worried about the children, their learning, and whether they would graduate. Education was more than a job; it was his passion.

Mr. McBeath was a devout Presbyterian. He was a longtime, dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kosciusko, serving as a deacon and elder.

A.D. married the love of his life, Hilda Joy Davidson, on May 29, 1955. Mr. McBeath was a loving and devoted husband to Mrs. McBeath.

He is survived by his loving wife, Hilda Joy McBeath; his son, Michael Adrian McBeath; daughter-in-law, Donna McBeath; his beloved grandchildren, Jordan Scott Hickman, Chelsea Elizabeth McBeath, Jackson Cole McBeath, Anna Hickman; and three great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers are Mike McBeath, Jackson McBeath, John Clark Love, Hugh Potts, Jr., Al Chadick, and Steve Myers.

Visitation is 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Jordan Funeral Home. Funeral service is at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 1, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church of Kosciusko. A committal service is at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2023, at Masonic Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.

Memorial donations may be made to support the Kosciusko High School Basketball Programs.